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Information Only 052626
AGENDA INFORMATION UPDATE May 26, 2026 5:00 PM, I.Information Update I.A West End Information Update I.B Follow-up memo: Armory Hall Adaptive Reuse - Project Update I.C Information Only Report - 2026 Community Survey I.D 2025-2026 State of the Forest Information Only Report West_End_Informational_Memo.docx Armory Hall work session_2026.05.04_follow up memo.docx Information Only Report_2026 Aspen Community Survey.docx Attachment A - 2026 Aspen Community Survey.pdf 2025-2026_State_of_the_Forest_Staff_Report.docx Appendix C - Douglas-Fir Beetle Mitigation Map.pdf Appendix A - Canopy Coverage Change Between 2019-2023.png Appendix B - Management Unit 1 and 6.pdf 1 1 INFORMATION ONLY REPORT TO: Aspen City Council FROM: Sam Prestidge, Project Manager I Jack Danneberg, PE, Senior Project Manager THROUGH: Tricia Aragon, PE, City Engineer Daniel Lawson, Public Works Director Tyler Christoff, PE, Deputy City Manager MEETING DATE: May 26, 2026 SUBJECT: West End Congestion Project Status Update INTENDED OUTCOME & SUMMARY: This information-only report provides City Council with a status update on the West End Congestion Project and outlines the anticipated timing and structure of future Council touchpoints later this summer and fall. The purpose of this update is to set expectations for work currently underway, clarify which items are being implemented in the near term, and identify when additional analysis or peak-season data collection is required before returning to Council for direction. No Council action is requested at this time. Staff intends to coordinate and bundle related project elements and return to Council at defined milestones later this summer and early fall with focused updates, alternatives, and, where appropriate, staff recommendations for direction. DISCUSSION: The West End neighborhood continues to experience traffic impacts when d rivers use local streets as an alternate route during periods of congestion on State Highway 82. Resident concerns have focused on traffic volume, pedestrian and bicycle safety, vehicle noise, alley cut-through traffic, and overall neighborhood livability. At the August 18, 2025 work session, Council identified a list of projects for further investigation. At the October 27, 2025 work session, Council directed staff to remove congestion pricing in the West End and cordoning off the West End from further consideration at this time, while expressing support for advancing the remaining 2 projects for feasibility review and analysis. On December 2, 2025, Council approved contracts with Alta Planning + Design and Jacobs to complete this work. Council approved a defined scope of work consisting of 12 specific tasks to evaluate existing conditions and assess potential strategies related to congestion, traffic enforcement, and pedestrian safety. These tasks represent the full scope of analysis being completed as part of the West End Congestion Project. The project is proceeding consistent with prior Council direction to complete design and feasibility analysis for a range of congestion, safety, and livability strategies. Near -term implementation is limited to low-risk operational measures, including signage, stop bars, and traffic diverters on the Hallam Pedestrian and Bicycle Way. All other potential operational or physical changes require additional technical analysis and/or summer peak-season data before staff can return to Council with findings, alternatives, or recommendations. To supplement technical analysis, staff conducted a survey of West End residents to better understand concerns related to alley operations, traffic, noise, pedestrian safety, and bicycle safety. A total of 103 responses were received and documented by Jacobs. While responses varied, a key takeaway was a preference for avoiding unnecessary changes and focusing on targeted, localized solutions rather than broad neighborhood-wide restrictions. In addition to the formal survey, staff has received ongoing correspondence from West End residents raising similar concerns, including traffic enforcement, noise, pedestrian safety, and the pace of implementation. This feedback is being tracked and considere d alongside quantitative data and technical analysis as each task progresses and will continue to inform the project through its remaining phases. The resulting design and analysis will support staff and Council in identifying feasible and effective strategies to improve safety and quality of life as the project moves toward implementation. Each task is summarized below with an overview, status update, and next steps. 3 Current Project Status Project Task Overview/ Objective Current Status Next Steps Pedestrian & Bike Safety Additional North/South Pedestrian Connections - 7th and 8th Streets Analyze and design potential North/South pedestrian connections. This task has been narrowed down to 7th or 8th Streets in order to address the need for a pedestrian connection between the 8th St bus stop and the Aspen Meadows campus. Alta is evaluating pedestrian walkway alternatives on both 7th and 8th Streets. Survey has recently been collected for 7th St, 8th St, and the intersections of 7th/Smuggler and 8th/Smuggler. Finalize exhibits and return to Council with alternatives and a staff recommendation for direction on which option advances to construction design. Curb Extensions at Key Intersections Evaluate curb extension/bulb-out concepts at 7th/Smuggler and 8th/Smuggler to reduce crossing distance and improve pedestrian visibility. This work has been tied to the 7th and 8th Street survey and walkway alternatives to further support pedestrian safety along these two streets. Alta is developing curb extension options tied to the completed survey of the Smuggler intersections. Bring curb extension alternatives to Council alongside walkway options for direction. 4 Project Task Overview/ Objective Current Status Next Steps Additional/ Improved East/West Ped/Bike Routes Assess whether additional or modified East/West routes are warranted based on pedestrian and bike patterns. Jacobs is evaluating potential improvements to existing East/W est pedestrian and bicycle routes and has analyzed crash and pedestrian data for the area. Staff have also received resident requests for a walkway on North Street. More recent pedestrian data is required before determining whether a new or modified ped-bike route is supported by use patterns. A Council update can be expected if staff recommends a new or modified route. Traffic Diverters on the Hallam Ped/Bikeway Improve Hallam Ped/Bikeway by installing traffic diverters. This is intended to reduce vehicle misuse of the ped-bike way. Traffic diverters were installed at 1st, 3rd, and 5th Streets on Hallam. The 5th Street installation was removed after field review identified a conflict with Crosstown Shuttle operations. The remaining installations at 1st and 3rd Streets continue to be monitored. No Council action is expected at this time. Performance observations and community feedback will be brought to Council. Vehicle Travel/Congestion One-way Alley Signage Investigate the feasibility of one-way alley conversions in the West End. West End survey responses did not show broad support for additional one-way alleys. A one-way sign was added to the North Street alley in fall 2025 at the request of residents. Jacobs’ analysis identified 700 W. Bleeker alley as the only other location with notable PM peak use. Improve visibility of the existing 700 W. Bleeker one-way signage. Staff is not recommending any further one-way alley conversions at this time, unless a specific alley is requested. 5 Project Task Overview/ Objective Current Status Next Steps Highway 82 Signal Timing Review with CDOT Evaluate whether signal timing changes could improve the flow of traffic during the PM peak to reduce neighborhood cut- through. Jacobs has initiated signal timing analysis at the Cemetery Ln. and Truscott lights. Coordinate with CDOT and complete traffic analysis. Return to Council with findings and for direction if policy or funding decisions are needed. Weight or Length Restrictions on Power Plant Road This aims to reduce the number of larger vehicles using Power Plant Road to cut through the West End neighborhood. Jacobs has completed analysis of vehicle class data for Power Plant Road to get a picture of the current usage. They are reviewing legal authority for restrictions as well as other municipalities approaches. Continue feasibility review. Return to Council if a viable restriction is identified. No right turn from Mill Street onto E. Bleeker Street during PM peak Analyze whether a turn restriction would reduce cut-through traffic without creating unacceptable diversion or operational impacts elsewhere. Jacobs is developing a traffic study model to assess the impacts of this restriction on the street system. Staff will bring study results and staff recommendation to Council. Council direction will be needed before any operational restriction is implemented. Signalized Pedestrian Crossing at 8th and Main Investigate if a potential signaled pedestrian crossing at 8th St. could optimize the flow of traffic on highway 82. The scope also includes analyzing ways to reduce vehicle conflicts at the bike path crossing at 8th Street at Hallam. Alta completed signal warrant and 8th St. analysis. Staff collected pedestrian and bicycle data in March to support this analysis. Compile findings into a memo and bring to Council along with alternatives and a staff recommendation. 6 Project Task Overview/ Objective Current Status Next Steps Traffic Impact Mitigation Noise Code Violations and Technology Investigate potential methods to improve enforcement of noise code violations, particularly traffic-related noise. Jacobs is currently researching noise enforcement technology, including camera-based systems. Jacobs is planning on collecting noise data in July to support the analysis. Data collection is planned for July to capture peak-period conditions and ensure comparability with prior data. Data will be measured in accordance with the current Municipal Code to produce enforceable data. Return to Council for direction if a practical tool is identified. Speed Limit Signs, Stop Bars, and Neighborhood Signing Plan Analyze the need for and placement of additional speed limit signs, neighborhood signs, and stop bars. This aims to support APD enforcement of existing regulations and improve driver awareness. Alta is preparing recommendations for speed limit sign locations, stop bars, and neighborhood signing. Staff has reviewed a draft memo and returned comments to Alta. Finalize memo and get APD to review to confirm it meets enforcement needs. Staff will return to Council with the final memo and a staff recommendation. School Zone Signage at the Yellow Brick Investigate alternatives for school zone signage around the Yellow Brick to improve safety and bring signage into MUTCD compliance. Alta is preparing recommendations for school signage options and potential placement. Staff has reviewed a draft memo and returned comments to Alta. Finalize memo and complete an APD review. Staff will return to Council with a recommendation in for direction before implementation. 7 NEXT STEPS: At this stage, staff is not requesting new Council direction. Work is continuing based on Council’s prior guidance to complete the scoped analysis, implement low-risk near-term items where appropriate, and return to Council once sufficient data and operational review are complete. Several project elements require peak-season summer data or additional technical analysis before alternatives or recommendations can be finalized. Staff anticipates returning to Council in both the summer and fall. The summer Council touchpoint is intended to provide a progress update, share what has been implemented or analyzed to date, and confirm alignment on near-term work. Items requiring peak- season data, additional technical analysis, or coordination with related pedestrian and bicycle data collection will return in the fall with findings, alternatives, and staff recommendations. Staff’s expected milestones are outlined below. Summer Continue monitoring compliance and operational impacts of the Hallam Ped/Bike Way traffic diverters at 1st and 3rd Streets. Coordinate with Streets to improve visibility of the existing one -way signage at the 700 W. Bleeker alley behind Hickory House. Collect pedestrian, bicycle, and noise data during peak summer conditions to ensure results reflect the highest-use period and are comparable to prior data presented to Council. Continue Jacobs’ SH 82 signal timing analysis with CDOT and the PM peak no - right-turn analysis from Mill Street onto E. Bleeker Street. Finalize the Alta memo, covering all signage, stop bars, and 8th/Main crossing analysis. Implement speed limit signage and stop bar recommendations, and return to Council for direction on the remaining signage and 8th/Main analysis. Fall Present 7th and 8th Street pedestrian walkway and curb extension alternatives for Council direction. Return to Council with findings and recommendations for items that required summer data or additional analysis and review. Bring forward any operational or enforcement recommendations only after staff confirm feasibility, implementation impacts, and whether Council action is required. ATTACHMENTS: CITY MANAGER NOTES: 8 FOLLOW-UP REPORT ORIGINAL MEETING DATE: May 4, 2026 FOLLOW-UP MEMO DATE: May 11, 2026 SUBJECT: Armory Hall Adaptive Reuse – Project Update PRESENTED BY: Jen Phelan, Development Manager COUNCIL MEMBERS PRESENT: John Doyle, mayor pro tem, Christine Benedetti (remote), Bill Guth, and Sam Rose WORK SESSION DISCUSSION SUMMARY: Staff provided a status update on the continued progress of the adaptive reuse of Armory Hall. City Council was informed that preconstruction work is well underway and the following topics: building lift/Historic Preservation Commission (HPC) review, construction budget and upcoming contract review, permit and construction readiness, and operations planning were discussed. Building lift/HPC review. The project team is proposing to vertically lift the Armory to increase the basement floor to ceiling height and install a new foundation. The engineering and shoring design is substantially complete. Lifting the building triggers review by the HPC, which is scheduled for May 13th. As part of the review, HPC will consider an amended parkway design along Galena Street and finalize the Conner Park stage structure/materials. A question on the experience of the building lift company was raised. Staff outlined that the firm, Wolfe Home & Building Movers works nationally and internationally and are experts in the field. Construction budget and upcoming contract review. Asset staff has received an initial Guaranteed Maximum Price (GMP) for construction from the contractor at risk providing pre-construction services. The number is being reviewed and remains in line with past estimates. Staff are targeting June to have City Council consider the GMP contract, construction administration services via CCY Architects, and additional construction phases for Construction Manager as advisor services through Concept 1 Group. 9 A question on whether the GMP is for the full fit out or just core and shell was asked. Staff responded that it’s to fixed finishes and includes kitchen equipment. Permitting and construction readiness. The building permit was submitted in December 2025. First round comments have been received and consultants are undertaking responses. The permit is expected to be issued in phases. Armory Hall should be vacated in June. Certain IT work related to capping fiber into the Armory is underway. Minor asbestos remediation is necessary once the building is vacated and it is anticipated that the contractor will take control of the site late June. A question on total construction duration was asked. The contractor anticipates 28 months from start to finish. There was a question on when Armory Hall is expected to be raised. There is a lot of prep work prior to lifting it and the contractor wants the building lifted by the end of October. Another question asked was on impacts to the farmers market. Vendors will not be on the north side of Hopkins adjacent to the Armory and Conner Park, Conner Park will be closed, and some amenities will be relocated. Another farmers market question was asked with regard to the potential to change the Hopkins block location to take advantage of construction on Saturdays and limit impacts on the market. It’s too late to consider this season but can be examined for the 2027/2028 seasons. Finally, a question was asked about potential impacts to the street system. The We Cycle station is temporarily moved to Galena St., parking adjacent to the site will be used for construction and to build the parklet. There will be no permanent traffic closures but some traffic control at certain points of construction is anticipated. Operations planning. An RFQ was issued in 2025 and received six responses. Those interested parties have been receiving regular updates on the project’s progress. An RFP is anticipated to be issued for in operator once a concrete construction start date is determined, most likely July 2026. A question was asked on how wide a net will be cast for this upcoming RFP. Staff noted that they want to receive as many responses as possible. It was mentioned that the upcoming operator RFP should include any responders to the first RFP and any operators from the initial design team RFPs. The councilperson wants anyone in the business to at least know about this project and be encouraged to submit a proposal. NEXT STEPS: The request to lift the building will be considered on May 13th by the HPC. The GMP and associated contracts will be progressed by Asset staff and then submitted for Council review and approval. This is currently anticipated for June 2026. 10 Vacating of the Armory is underway and asbestos remediation as well as additional IT work will be completed once the building is vacated. This is currently anticipated for June 2026 and will be led by Asset staff. Asset staff will continue to progress an RFP for the Armory by working on development of content with the city’s operator consultants to ensure its comprehensiveness. Asset staff will work with the Communications department to develop a targeted marketing plan to ensure the operator RFP is comprehensively advertised as discussed during the update. CITY MANAGER NOTES: 11 INFORMATION ONLY REPORT TO: Mayor and City Council FROM: John Barker, Strategy & Innovation Director THROUGH: Alissa Farrell, Administrative Services Director MEETING DATE: May 26, 2026 SUBJECT: 2026 Aspen Community Survey Details INTENDED OUTCOME & SUMMARY: This information-only report provides background on the City of Aspen’s 2026 Community Survey, explains why the survey is being conducted, and outlines the timeline for distribution and later review of the results. The survey is one of the city’s tools for understanding community priorities, evaluating residents’ experiences with city services, and identifying areas that may need additional attention. No action is requested of council. DISCUSSION: Aspen conducts a community survey every two years to collect statistically valid feedback from residents about city services, community conditions, and local priorities. A statistically valid survey is designed to gather enough responses from a representative group of households so the results can be used with confidence to understand broader community views. City staff use the survey results to help assess service performance, inform planning and budgeting, and identify where additional resources or policy attention may be needed. In 2024, the city began working with Polco, a national survey provider that administers a standardized survey used by many local governments. Using a consistent survey format helps Aspen compare its results with those of peer communities and track changes over time. The survey measures 10 areas, or “facets of livability,” such as safety, transportation, the natural environment, and the local economy. It asks residents both how important these topics are to them and how they rate the city’s performance in each area. 12 Overall, the 2024 results showed strong ratings in several areas, particularly public safety, parks and recreation, the natural environment, and education, arts, and culture. The survey also highlighted ongoing concerns that are common in resort communities, including cost of living, housing affordability and availability, and differing views about growth and development. Transportation results were more mixed: residents generally rated walking, biking, and transit positively, while ratings for travel by car we re lower when compared with national benchmarks. Based on the 2024 survey findings, the city identified the following broad priority areas: 1. Affordability 2. Community Design 3. Commercial Vibrancy 4. Sense of Community 5. Approachability of Government These broad priority areas are now represented in, and addressed through, the city’s strategic plan, council’s priority projects, and other high-level planning documents. In addition to the standard questions used by many local governments, the survey includes a limited number of custom questions chosen by the city. For 2026, those questions are intended to provide more information about community engagement, customer service, and voter preferences related to municipal elections. These questions are meant to help the city better understand how residents want to receive information, what kinds of service experiences they value most, where they believe city resources should be focused, and what election format they prefer. This year’s questions are: 13 ______________________________________________________________________ 13. How important is it for the City to dedicate more resources to each item over the next two years? Also select your top three (3) priorities. Priority Essential Very important Somewhat Not at all To p 3 Mitigating construction impacts 1 2 3 4 ❑ Enhancing community facilities 1 2 3 4 ❑ Customer service and responsiveness 1 2 3 4 ❑ Community engagement and civic participation 1 2 3 4 ❑ Emergency preparedness and wildfire safety 1 2 3 4 ❑ Infrastructure maintenance and improvements 1 2 3 4 ❑ Affordable housing 1 2 3 4 ❑ Traffic congestion and mobility improvements 1 2 3 4 ❑ Climate action and energy resilience 1 2 3 4 ❑ Streamlining permitting and licensing processes 1 2 3 4 ❑ 14. Outside formal meetings, which options would best help you stay informed and make your voice heard? Select up to three (3). ❑ In-person open houses ❑ Virtual open houses ❑ Neighborhood meetings ❑ Small focus groups ❑ Project websites ❑ Talks with city staff at pop-up events ❑ Online surveys ❑ Online engagement platforms ❑ Email newsletters ❑ Other: ____________________ 15. Where should the City focus to improve your customer experience? ◯ Invest more in online self-service ◯ Invest more in direct support (in person or by phone) ◯ Both already meet my needs and expectations 16. Thinking about your most recent contact with the City, how would you rate each item below? Item Excellent Good Fair Poor No contact Ease of finding the right person or information 1 2 3 4 5 Timeliness of the City's response 1 2 3 4 5 Courtesy and professionalism of staff 1 2 3 4 5 Ability to resolve your issue or answer your question 1 2 3 4 5 14 17. The City is exploring options for how municipal elections are administered. Please indicate your level of support for each option and select your top choice. Option Strongly support Somewhat support Somewhat oppose Strongly oppose Top choice One November election coordinated with Pitkin County 1 2 3 4 ❑ Keep a standalone City election in March 1 2 3 4 ❑ Keep a standalone City election, but move it to May 1 2 3 4 ❑ ______________________________________________________________________ ______________ The 2026 survey will help staff and council determine whether work in these areas is making a difference and whether additional or different priorities are beginning to emerge. NEXT STEPS: The survey is scheduled to be distributed to city of Aspen households beginning June 8, 2026, and it is expected to remain open through mid-July. A supplemental online-only survey will open in late June and will be available to a broader Aspen area audience, including people who work in Aspen but do not live within city limits. This additional outreach is intended to help the city understand whether the perspectives of workers and other community members outside the city differ from those of city residents. After responses are collected and analyzed, staff expect to return to Cou ncil with the survey results, likely in September 2026. ATTACHMENTS: Attachment A – 2026 Aspen Community Survey CITY MANAGER NOTES: 15 The National Community Survey™ • © 2001-2026 National Research Center, Inc. The City of Aspen 2026 Community Survey Page 1 of 5 Please complete this survey if you are an adult (age 18 or older). Your responses are confidential and no identifying information will be shared. 1. Please rate each of the following aspects of quality of life in Aspen. Excellent Good Fair Poor Don’t know q1a Aspen as a place to live .......................................................................................................... 1 2 3 4 5 q1b Your neighborhood as a place to live .............................................................................. 1 2 3 4 5 q1c Aspen as a place to raise children ..................................................................................... 1 2 3 4 5 q1d Aspen as a place to work ...................................................................................................... 1 2 3 4 5 q1e Aspen as a place to visit ........................................................................................................ 1 2 3 4 5 q1f Aspen as a place to retire...................................................................................................... 1 2 3 4 5 q1g The overall quality of life in Aspen ................................................................................... 1 2 3 4 5 q1h Sense of community ................................................................................................................ 1 2 3 4 5 2. Please rate each of the following characteristics as they relate to Aspen as a whole. Excellent Good Fair Poor Don’t know q2a Overall economic health of Aspen .................................................................................... 1 2 3 4 5 q2b Overall quality of the transportation system (auto, bicycle, foot, bus) in Aspen ................................................................................................................................. 1 2 3 4 5 q2c Overall design or layout of Aspen’s residential and commercial areas (e.g., homes, buildings, streets, parks, etc.) ............................................... 1 2 3 4 5 q2d Overall quality of the utility infrastructure in Aspen (water, sewer, storm water, electric/gas, broadband) ...................................... 1 2 3 4 5 q2e Overall feeling of safety in Aspen ...................................................................................... 1 2 3 4 5 q2f Overall quality of natural environment in Aspen....................................................... 1 2 3 4 5 q2g Overall quality of parks and recreation opportunities ............................................ 1 2 3 4 5 q2h Overall health and wellness opportunities in Aspen ................................................ 1 2 3 4 5 q2i Overall opportunities for education, culture , and the arts..................................... 1 2 3 4 5 q2j Residents’ connection and engagement with their community .......................... 1 2 3 4 5 3. Please indicate how likely or unlikely you are to do each of the following. Very Somewhat Somewhat Very Don’t likely likely unlikely unlikely know q3a Recommend living in Aspen to someone who asks ............................1 2 3 4 5 q3b Remain in Aspen for the next five years ..................................................1 2 3 4 5 4. Please rate how safe or unsafe you feel: Very Somewhat Neither safe Somewhat Very Don’t safe safe nor unsafe unsafe unsafe know q4a In your neighborhood during the day ...................................... 1 2 3 4 5 6 q4b In Aspen’s downtown/commercial area during the day .............................................................................. 1 2 3 4 5 6 q4c From property crime ....................................................................... 1 2 3 4 5 6 q4d From violent crime ........................................................................... 1 2 3 4 5 6 q4e From fire, flood, or other natural disaster ............................. 1 2 3 4 5 6 5. Please rate the job you feel the Aspen community does at each of the following. Excellent Good Fair Poor Don’t know q5a Making all residents feel welcome ................................................................................... 1 2 3 4 5 q5b Attracting people from diverse backgrounds .............................................................. 1 2 3 4 5 q5c Valuing/respecting residents from diverse backgrounds ...................................... 1 2 3 4 5 q5d Taking care of vulnerable residents (elderly, disabled, homeless, etc.) ........... 1 2 3 4 5 6. Please rate each of the following in the Aspen community. Excellent Good Fair Poor Don’t know q6a Overall quality of business and service establishments in Aspen ...................... 1 2 3 4 5 q6b Variety of business and service establishments in Aspen ...................................... 1 2 3 4 5 q6c Vibrancy of downtown/commercial area ..................................................................... 1 2 3 4 5 q6d Employment opportunities ................................................................................................. 1 2 3 4 5 q6e Shopping opportunities......................................................................................................... 1 2 3 4 5 q6f Cost of living in Aspen ............................................................................................................ 1 2 3 4 5 q6g Overall image or reputation of Aspen ............................................................................. 1 2 3 4 5 16 The National Community Survey™ • © 2001-2026 National Research Center, Inc. Page 2 of 5 7. Please also rate each of the following in the Aspen community. Excellent Good Fair Poor Don’t know q7a Traffic flow on major streets ............................................................................................... 1 2 3 4 5 q7b Ease of public parking ............................................................................................................ 1 2 3 4 5 q7c Ease of travel by car in Aspen ............................................................................................. 1 2 3 4 5 q7d Ease of travel by public transportation in Aspen ....................................................... 1 2 3 4 5 q7e Ease of travel by bicycle in Aspen ..................................................................................... 1 2 3 4 5 q7f Ease of walking in Aspen ...................................................................................................... 1 2 3 4 5 q7g Well-planned residential growth ...................................................................................... 1 2 3 4 5 q7h Well-planned commercial growth .................................................................................... 1 2 3 4 5 q7i Well-designed neighborhoods ........................................................................................... 1 2 3 4 5 q7j Preservation of the historical or cultural character of the community ............ 1 2 3 4 5 q7k Public places where people want to spend time ........................................................ 1 2 3 4 5 q7l Variety of housing options ................................................................................................... 1 2 3 4 5 q7m Availability of affordable quality housing ..................................................................... 1 2 3 4 5 q7n Overall quality of new development in Aspen............................................................. 1 2 3 4 5 q7o Overall appearance of Aspen .............................................................................................. 1 2 3 4 5 q7p Cleanliness of Aspen ............................................................................................................... 1 2 3 4 5 q7q Water resources (lakes, ponds, riverways, etc.) ........................................................ 1 2 3 4 5 q7r Air quality .................................................................................................................................... 1 2 3 4 5 q7s Availability of paths and walking trails .......................................................................... 1 2 3 4 5 q7t Fitness opportunities (including exercise classes and paths or trails, etc.) ... 1 2 3 4 5 q7u Recreational opportunities .................................................................................................. 1 2 3 4 5 q7v Availability of affordable quality food ............................................................................ 1 2 3 4 5 q7w Availability of affordable quality health care ............................................................... 1 2 3 4 5 q7x Availability of preventive health services ..................................................................... 1 2 3 4 5 q7y Availability of affordable quality mental health care ............................................... 1 2 3 4 5 q7z Opportunities to attend cultural/arts/music activities .......................................... 1 2 3 4 5 q7aa Community support for the arts ........................................................................................ 1 2 3 4 5 q7bb Availability of affordable quality childcare/preschool ............................................ 1 2 3 4 5 q7cc K-12 education .......................................................................................................................... 1 2 3 4 5 q7dd Adult educational opportunities ....................................................................................... 1 2 3 4 5 q7ee Sense of civic/community pride ........................................................................................ 1 2 3 4 5 q7ff Neighborliness of residents in Aspen .............................................................................. 1 2 3 4 5 q7gg Opportunities to participate in social events and activities .................................. 1 2 3 4 5 q7hh Opportunities to attend special events and festivals................................................ 1 2 3 4 5 q7ii Opportunities to volunteer .................................................................................................. 1 2 3 4 5 q7jj Opportunities to participate in community matters ................................................ 1 2 3 4 5 q7kk Openness and acceptance of the community toward people of diverse backgrounds ................................................................................................... 1 2 3 4 5 8. Please indicate whether or not you have done each of the following in the last 12 months. No Yes q8a Contacted the City of Aspen (in-person, phone, email, or web) for help or information ................................... 1 2 q8b Contacted Aspen elected officials (in-person, phone, email, or web) to express your opinion ...................... 1 2 q8c Attended a local public meeting (of local elected officials like City Council or County Commissioners, advisory boards, town halls, HOA, neighborhood watch, etc.) ............................................ 1 2 q8d Watched (online or on television) a local public meeting ............................................................................................... 1 2 q8e Volunteered your time to some group/activity in Aspen ................................................................................................ 1 2 q8f Campaigned or advocated for a local issue, cause , or candidate .................................................................................. 1 2 q8g Voted in your most recent local election ................................................................................................................................ 1 2 q8h Used bus or other public transportation instead of driving ........................................................................................... 1 2 q8i Carpooled with other adults or children instead of driving alone............................................................................... 1 2 q8j Walked or biked instead of driving ........................................................................................................................................... 1 2 17 The National Community Survey™ • © 2001-2026 National Research Center, Inc. The City of Aspen 2026 Community Survey Page 3 of 5 9. Please rate the quality of each of the following services in Aspen. Excellent Good Fair Poor Don’t know q9a Public information services ............................................................................................. 1 2 3 4 5 q9b Economic development ..................................................................................................... 1 2 3 4 5 q9c Traffic enforcement ............................................................................................................ 1 2 3 4 5 q9d Traffic signal timing ............................................................................................................ 1 2 3 4 5 q9e Street repair ........................................................................................................................... 1 2 3 4 5 q9f Street cleaning ....................................................................................................................... 1 2 3 4 5 q9g Street lighting ........................................................................................................................ 1 2 3 4 5 q9h Snow removal ........................................................................................................................ 1 2 3 4 5 q9i Sidewalk maintenance ....................................................................................................... 1 2 3 4 5 q9j Bus or transit services ....................................................................................................... 1 2 3 4 5 q9k Land use, planning, and zoning ...................................................................................... 1 2 3 4 5 q9l Code enforcement (weeds, abandoned buildings, etc.) ...................................... 1 2 3 4 5 q9m Affordable high-speed internet access ....................................................................... 1 2 3 4 5 q9o Drinking water ...................................................................................................................... 1 2 3 4 5 q9p Sewer services ....................................................................................................................... 1 2 3 4 5 q9q Storm water management (storm drainage, dams, levees, etc.) .................... 1 2 3 4 5 q9r Power (electric and/or gas) utility ............................................................................... 1 2 3 4 5 q9s Utility billing .......................................................................................................................... 1 2 3 4 5 q9t Police services ....................................................................................................................... 1 2 3 4 5 q9u Crime prevention ................................................................................................................. 1 2 3 4 5 q9v Animal control ....................................................................................................................... 1 2 3 4 5 q9w Ambulance or emergency medical services ............................................................. 1 2 3 4 5 q9x Fire services ........................................................................................................................... 1 2 3 4 5 q9y Fire prevention and education ....................................................................................... 1 2 3 4 5 q9z Emergency preparedness (services that prepare the community for natural disasters or other emergency situations) ................................... 1 2 3 4 5 q9aa Preservation of natural areas (open space, farmlands, and greenbelts) ..... 1 2 3 4 5 q9bb Aspen open space ................................................................................................................ 1 2 3 4 5 q9cc Recycling .................................................................................................................................. 1 2 3 4 5 q9ee City parks................................................................................................................................. 1 2 3 4 5 q9ff Recreation programs or classes .................................................................................... 1 2 3 4 5 q9gg Recreation centers or facilities ...................................................................................... 1 2 3 4 5 q9hh Health services ...................................................................................................................... 1 2 3 4 5 q9ii Public library services ....................................................................................................... 1 2 3 4 5 q9jj Overall customer service by Aspen employees (police, receptionists, planners, etc.) ................................................................... 1 2 3 4 5 10. Please rate the following categories of Aspen government performance. Excellent Good Fair Poor Don’t know q10a The value of services for the taxes paid to Aspen .................................................. 1 2 3 4 5 q10b The overall direction that Aspen is taking ................................................................ 1 2 3 4 5 q10c The job Aspen government does at welcoming resident involvement .............. 1 2 3 4 5 q10d Overall confidence in Aspen government ................................................................. 1 2 3 4 5 q10e Generally acting in the best interest of the community ...................................... 1 2 3 4 5 q10f Being honest........................................................................................................................... 1 2 3 4 5 q10g Being open and transparent to the public ................................................................. 1 2 3 4 5 q10h Informing residents about issues facing the community.................................... 1 2 3 4 5 q10i Treating all residents fairly ............................................................................................. 1 2 3 4 5 q10j Treating residents with respect .................................................................................... 1 2 3 4 5 11. Overall, how would you rate the quality of the services provided by each of the following? Excellent Good Fair Poor Don’t know q11a The City of Aspen ................................................................................................................. 1 2 3 4 5 q11b The Federal Government .................................................................................................. 1 2 3 4 5 18 The National Community Survey™ • © 2001-2026 National Research Center, Inc. Page 4 of 5 12. Please rate how important, if at all, you think it is for the Aspen community to focus on each of the following in the coming two years. Very Somewhat Not at all Essential important important important q12a Overall economic health of Aspen .......................................................................................1 2 3 4 q12b Overall quality of the transportation system (auto, bicycle, foot, bus) in Aspen ....................................................................................................................................1 2 3 4 q12c Overall design or layout of Aspen’s residential and commercial areas (e.g., homes, buildings, streets, parks, etc.) ..................................................1 2 3 4 q12d Overall quality of the utility infrastructure in Aspen (water, sewer, storm water, electric/gas, broadband) .........................................1 2 3 4 q12e Overall feeling of safety in Aspen .........................................................................................1 2 3 4 q12f Overall quality of natural environment in Aspen..........................................................1 2 3 4 q12g Overall quality of parks and recreation opportunities ...............................................1 2 3 4 q12h Overall health and wellness opportunities in Aspen ...................................................1 2 3 4 q12i Overall opportunities for education, culture , and the arts........................................1 2 3 4 q12j Residents’ connection and engagement with their community .............................1 2 3 4 13. Please rate how important, if at all, you think it is for the City to dedicate additional resources to each of the following items over the next two years. Also, select your top three (3) priorities. Very Somewhat Not at all Top 3 Essential important important important priorities q10a Mitigating construction impacts………………...…………………………………… 1 2 3 4 ❑ q10b Enhancing community facilities……………………………………………………… 1 2 3 4 ❑ q10c Customer service and responsiveness…………………………………………….…...1 2 3 4 ❑ q10b Community engagement and civic participation………………….…………... 1 2 3 4 ❑ q10c Emergency preparedness and wildfire safety………………………………….…...1 2 3 4 ❑ q10b Infrastructure maintenance and improvements………………….…………... 1 2 3 4 ❑ q10c Affordable housing………………………………………………………………………..…...1 2 3 4 ❑ q10b Traffic congestion and mobility improvements……………………………….. 1 2 3 4 ❑ q10c Climate action and energy resilience…………………………………………………...1 2 3 4 ❑ q10b Streamlining permitting and licensing processes………………...…………...1 2 3 4 ❑ 14. Outside of formal meetings, what engagement opportunities would best allow you to make your voice heard and stay informed on important community issues? Select up to three (3). d12a ❑ In-person open houses12b ❑ Neighborhood meetings ❑ Project websites d12d ❑ Virtual open housesd12e ❑ Small focus groups ❑ Talks with city staff at pop-up events d12a ❑ Online surveys d12b ❑ Online engagement platforms ❑ Email newsletters ❑ Other: __________________________________ 15. Where would you recommend the city emphasize its efforts to make your customer experience better? 1 Invest more in online platforms for self-service 2 Invest more in direct contact (in-person, phone) 3 Both online and direct support already meet my needs and expectations 16. Thinking about your most recent contact with the City, how would you rate each of the following aspects? No recent Excellent Good Fair Poor contact q10a Ease of finding the right person or information ..................................................... 1 2 3 4 5 q10b Timeliness of the city’s response .................................................................................. 1 2 3 4 5 q10c Courtesy and professionalism of the staff ..................................................................... 1 2 3 4 5 q10b The city’s ability to resolve your issue or answer your question.................... 1 2 3 4 5 17. The City of Aspen is exploring how its municipal elections are administered. Please indicate your level of support for the following alternatives and select your top choice. Strongly Somewhat Somewhat Strongly Top support support oppose oppose choice q10a Coordinate a single election in November, combining the City of Aspen election with Pitkin County…………………………………… 1 2 3 4 ❑ q10b Keep a standalone City of Aspen municipal election in March…………...1 2 3 4 ❑ q10c Keep a standalone City of Aspen municipal election, but move to May…...1 2 3 4 ❑ 19 The National Community Survey™ • © 2001-2026 National Research Center, Inc. The City of Aspen 2026 Community Survey Page 5 of 5 Our last questions are about you and your household. Again, all of your responses to this survey are confidential and no identifying information will be shared. D1. Please indicate how much of a source, if at all, you consider each of the following to be for obtaining information about Aspen activities, events, and services. Major source Minor source Not a source s1a City of Aspen website .................................................................................................................... 1 2 3 s1b City of Aspen social media (Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn)…………………………. 1 2 3 s1c City of Aspen newsletter .............................................................................................................. 1 2 3 s1d City of Aspen emails or text messages ................................................................................... 1 2 3 s1e City of Aspen direct mailers (postcard, flyer, utility bill insert) ................................. 1 2 3 s1f Public meetings................................................................................................................................ 1 2 3 s1g Local media (newspapers, news programs) ....................................................................... 1 2 3 s1h Public access television ................................................................................................................ 1 2 3 s1i Word of mouth ................................................................................................................................. 1 2 3 D2. Please rate your overall health. 1 Excellent 2 Very good 3 Good 4 Fair 5 Poor D3. What impact, if any, do you think the economy will have on your family income in the next 6 months? Do you think the impact will be: 1 Very positive 2 Somewhat positive 3 Neutral 4 Somewhat negative 5 Very negative D4. How many years have you lived in Aspen? 1 Less than 2 years 2 2-5 years 3 6-10 years 4 11-20 years 5 More than 20 years D5. Which best describes the building you live in? 1 Single-family detached home 2 Townhouse or duplex (may share walls but no units above or below you) 3 Condominium or apartment (have units above or below you) 4 Mobile home 5 Other D6. Do you rent or own your home? 1 Rent 2 Own D6a. Do you live in a deed restricted unit? 1 No 2 Yes D7. About how much is your monthly housing cost for the place you live (including rent, mortgage payment, property tax, property insurance, and homeowners’ association (HOA) fees)? 1 Less than $300 6 $2,500 to $3,999 2 $300 to $599 7 $4,000 to $6,999 3 $600 to $999 8 $7,000 to $9,999 4 $1,000 to $1,499 9 $10,000 or more 5 $1,500 to $2,499 D8. Do any children 17 or under live in your household? 1 No 2 Yes D9. Are you or any other members of your household aged 65 or older? 1 No 2 Yes D10. How much do you anticipate your household’s total income before taxes will be for the current year? (Please include in your total income money from all sources for all persons living in your household.) 1 Less than $25,000 5 $200,000 to $249,999 2 $25,000 to $49,999 6 $250,000 to $299,9993 $50,000 to $74,999 7 $300,000 to $499,999 4 $75,000 to $99,999 8 $500,000 to $999,999 1 $100,000 to $149,999 $1,000,000 or more 2 $150,000 to $199,999 6 D11. Are you of Hispanic, Latino/a/x, or Spanish origin? 1 No 2 Yes D12. What is your race? (Mark one or more races to indicate what race you consider yourself to be.) d12a ❑ American Indian or Alaskan Native d12b ❑ Asian d12c ❑ Black or African American d12d ❑ Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander d12e ❑ White d12f ❑ A race not listed D13. In which category is your age? 1 18-24 years 5 55-64 years 2 25-34 years 6 65-74 years 3 35-44 years 7 75 years or older 4 45-54 years D14. What is your gender? 1 Woman 2 Man 3 Identify in another way D15. What one thing would you like the City of Aspen to focus on in the next two years to help improve our community? _______________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________ Thank you! Please return the completed survey in the postage-paid envelope to: National Research Center, Inc., PO Box 14050, Houston, TX 77221-9904 20 1 Figure 1: 2026 Douglas-fir beetle (Dendroctonus pseudotsugae) INFORMATION ONLY REPORT TO: Mayor and City Council FROM: Heather Gale, City Forester THROUGH: Matt Kuhn, Parks and Open Space Director MEETING DATE: May 26th, 2026 RE: 2025-2026 State of the Forest INTENDED OUTCOME & SUMMARY: The purpose of this staff report is to update the Mayor and City Council on the current condition of Aspen’s community forest, summarize key trends and management activities from 2025, and outline emerging challenges and programmatic shifts that will guide future management. Aspen’s Forestry Program continues to operate under the framework established in the 2018 Community Forest Management Plan (CFMP), which emphasizes canopy preservation, long-term stewardship, and proactive management of the urban forest. The following sections summarize recent program highlights, current forest conditions and emerging trends, ongoing forest health monitoring efforts, forestry maintenance and operations activities, and policy and permitting updates affecting Aspen’s urban forest. 2025 - 2026 FORESTRY PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS Continued coordination with the Colorado State Forest Service and regional partners on Douglas-fir beetle monitoring and mitigation efforts on Aspen Mountain and surrounding areas. Adoption and implementation of updates to the City’s Wildfire Mitigation Policy to align with evolving State requirements. 21 2 Ongoing implementation of wildfire mitigation projects and expanded collaboration with the Aspen Fire Protection District, including property-level assessments and fuels reduction efforts. Partnering with the City’s Wildlife Management Program and Colorado Parks and Wildlife on a human-bear conflict reduction grant to support the phased replacement of fruiting crabapple trees in high-traffic areas. Continued monitoring and preparedness planning related to Emerald Ash Borer (EAB), which has not yet been detected in Aspen despite its presence in nearby areas. Targeted updates to the tree inventory in priority areas, including Management Units 1 and 6, with a focus on improving data accuracy and supporting risk-based management. Supported youth forestry education by providing hands-on experience in arboriculture, tree biology, and community forestry operations. The first student to participate presented his work to his school community, including a creative arboriculture presentation delivered by rappelling from the auditorium ceiling. Ongoing coordination with the Parks and Open Space administrative team to update the Forestry Program section of the City’s Strategic Plan. Initiation of the 2028 Community Forest Management Plan. Significant updates to community-facing forestry resources, including expanded guidance and improvements to the City’s Forestry webpages. Planned Arbor Day Event on June 6th, 2026. DISCUSSION: CANOPY AND INVENTORY INSIGHTS Aspen’s community forest remains a critical part of the City’s infrastructure, providing shade, cooling, air quality benefits, and contributing to overall community character. The City continues to maintain canopy coverage near its long-standing goal of approximately 30 percent, but current conditions indicate a period of transition. Recent inventory updates, canopy analysis, and field observations suggest that canopy is declining in some areas and maintenance demands are increasingly influenced by aging tree populations, species concentration, site constraints, drought stress, pests, and wildfire risk. In response, the program has expanded canopy assessment and forest health monitoring efforts, continued implementation of the City’s Wildfire Mitigation Policy, advanced Douglas-fir beetle mitigation Figure 2: Bear cubs on Main Street, September 2025 Figure 3: Student intern and City Forester, March 2026 22 3 projects with regional partners, and begun evaluating updates to inventory management and operational planning approaches. Canopy Coverage Updated canopy assessment results indicate that canopy loss is occurring across multiple ownership types and is not driven solely by development-related removals. In many cases, canopy loss is associated with individual property decisions and aging tree populations, reinforcing the importance of long-term maintenance and replacement strategies. Species Composition Analysis of the City’s tree inventory indicates that while overall species richness is relatively high, the distribution of those species is uneven and exceeds widely accepted urban forestry diversity thresholds. The City’s tree inventory includes approximately 12,000 public and right-of-way tree points, of which more than half are Populus. Narrowleaf cottonwood and quaking aspen alone account for a significant portion of the total population. This concentration increases the risk of synchronized decline associated with aging, pest pressure, disease spread, and monoculture effects. While the inventory dataset is limited to publicly managed trees, observed planting patterns across the community suggest these conditions are broadly representative of the urban forest as a whole. Aspen’s urban forest is therefore not lacking in species diversity overall, but in how that diversity is distributed, resulting in reduced resilience at a functional level. Figure 5: Tree species composition and relative distribution within Aspen’s public tree inventory. Figure 4: Urban Tree Canopy Change by Parcel (2019 to 2023) 23 4 Tree Size Distribution The chart below compares Aspen’s current tree population by diameter class to widely accepted industry targets. Aspen’s inventory is currently weighted toward small and mid-sized trees, with fewer large-diameter trees than recommended. While this reflects ongoing planting and recruitment, it also highlights the importance of maintaining and protecting mature trees, which provide the greatest canopy and ecosystem benefits. Figure 6: Tree size distribution in Aspen compared to other industry targets. DOUGLAS-FIR BEETLE MANAGEMENT AND FOREST HEALTH MONITORING Douglas-fir beetle activity remains one of the most significant forest health concerns affecting the forests surrounding Aspen. Since 2022, the City of Aspen has implemented landscape-scale Douglas-fir beetle mitigation projects on Shadow Mountain and Ute Mountain using MCH anti-aggregation pheromone packets. These packets mimic the beetles’ natural “no vacancy” signal, discouraging new attacks within treated stands. The work is intended to slow beetle spread, protect high-value forested areas surrounding Aspen, and reduce long-term wildfire risk associated with widespread conifer mortality. Treatment areas are monitored annually using beetle traps and field observations to better understand beetle activity and treatment effectiveness. The steep terrain, high elevations, and limited access associated with many of these sites make traditional forest management activities difficult, increasing the importance of adaptive approaches such as pheromone treatments and long-term monitoring. 24 5 Figure 7: 2025 Treatment Areas In addition to Douglas-fir beetle management, the City continues to monitor for other emerging forest health concerns, including Emerald Ash Borer (EAB), spruce beetle, Ips beetles, fir engraver beetle, and cottonwood defoliators. Emerald Ash Borer has been confirmed in Carbondale but has not been detected in Aspen as of this report. The absence of confirmed detections within Aspen is encouraging; however, ongoing monitoring and preparedness remain important due to the insect’s continued regional spread. The City continues to coordinate with CSFS and regional partners on monitoring, public education, and long-term preparedness planning related to EAB and other invasive pests. FOREST MANAGEMENT AND OPERATIONS Aspen’s Forestry Program manages approximately 12,000 public trees located along streets, in parks, and throughout other public spaces. These trees require ongoing care, including pruning, inspection, watering and establishment, pest and disease management, and hazard mitigation. Work is completed through a combination of in-house staff and contracted services. 25 6 Management Approach Historically, the program has relied on a six-year cyclical maintenance system organized by geographic management units. While this structure has provided a useful framework, it does not consistently align with current tree condition, risk levels, or operational priorities. As the urban forest has matured, maintenance demands have increased. A growing population of large, aging trees requires more frequent and specialized care, while climate stressors and development pressures contribute to variability in tree condition. At the same time, canopy data indicates that overall canopy is not increasing and, in some areas, is declining, reinforcing the importance of maintaining existing trees and prioritizing higher-risk conditions. In response, the Forestry Program is transitioning toward a more flexible and data-informed approach that prioritizes tree condition, risk, and location rather than strictly following a fixed maintenance cycle. Tree Maintenance Reporting Operational activity in 2025 was primarily focused on hazard tree pruning and removals, which together accounted for the majority of program workload. Additional effort was directed toward standard maintenance pruning, inspections, and site-specific risk mitigation; while planting and establishment activities represented a relatively small portion of overall work. Forestry Crew Activity Category Estimated Share of Total Work Hazard Tree Removals 35–40% Hazard Tree Pruning 30–35% Maintenance Pruning 10–15% Inspections, Risk Mitigation, and Coordination 10–15% Planting, Replacement, and Establishment ≤5% Figure 10: Work Activity Summary (May – September 2025) Inventory Management Maintaining an accurate and current tree inventory remains a critical component of effective forest management. While Aspen has an established inventory system, updates have historically been tied to cyclical maintenance and project-based work, resulting in variability in data accuracy. Figure 8: Contracted crane-work for large hazardous tree in March 2026. Figure 9: Bucket truck training with forestry intern in October 2025. 26 7 The Forestry Program is transitioning to a more consistent inventory update cycle, to support improved data accuracy, better integration with permitting and valuation processes, and more effective prioritization of maintenance and risk mitigation efforts. Our target is to reassess the full public and right-of-way tree inventory on a three to four-year cycle, with a portion of the inventory updated each year. POLICY AND PERMITTING Policy and permitting processes play a central role in shaping Aspen’s urban forest, particularly in areas where development pressures, limited growing space, and infrastructure constraints influence long-term canopy outcomes. Decisions made during site design, construction, and permitting directly affect tree preservation, planting success, and overall forest health. Recent analysis indicates that canopy loss is occurring across a range of ownership types and is not limited to development activity alone. This highlights the importance of consistently evaluating tree removal decisions, replacement strategies, and long-term outcomes across all permit types. The City has taken steps to strengthen the tree impact and removal permitting process through continued implementation of the Tree Assessment and Valuation Framework, which provides a more consistent and transparent approach to evaluating tree value and associated mitigation requirements. This framework helps align removal decisions with broader canopy and forest management goals. Figure 11: Tree Removals by Permit Type (2020 - 2025) 27 8 NEXT STEPS: Parks and Open Space staff are currently preparing the 2028 Community Forest Management Plan and the Forestry section of the City’s Strategic Plan. Key areas of focus include improving inventory accuracy and canopy assessment methods, expanding species diversity, prioritizing canopy investment in key areas, refining wildfire mitigation strategies, and strengthening long-term forest management planning. Over the next year, the Forestry Program will continue developing a series of supporting analyses and operational assessments to help guide future decision-making. This work includes updated canopy and inventory analysis, forestry operations and labor assessments, and continued evaluation of permitting and management outcomes. These efforts are intended to support a more coordinated, proactive, and data-informed approach to managing Aspen’s urban forest under changing environmental and operational conditions. ATTACHMENTS: APPENDIX A – Canopy Coverage Map APPENDIX B – Management Units 1 & 6 APPENDIX C – 2025 Douglas Fir Pheromone and Beetle Kill Map CITY MANAGER NOTES: 28 29 30 31